A scam is making its way into the mailboxes of local business owners, and at least one member of our parish family has already received it. We want to make sure our community is informed and protected.
The solicitation arrives as what appears to be a formal Advertising Insertion Order from a company called LocalCatholicChurches.com. It is designed to look like an invoice or a billing notice, complete with a reference number, a due date, and a cost of $395.00 for a so-called “6-Month Web Listing.” A second page, styled as a Proof Approval form, includes what looks like an ad mockup and asks for a signature, an email address, and payment information.
Here is the important thing to know: this is not an invoice for services you agreed to. No one from our parishes authorized this company to advertise on behalf of any local business, and our family of churches has no relationship with LocalCatholicChurches.com whatsoever.
This type of solicitation is sometimes called a “fake invoice scam” or a “directory scam.” The company sends unsolicited materials that are made to look like a bill you already owe, hoping that a busy business owner will pay without looking closely. The fine print, if you read it carefully, reveals that the document is actually an offer, not a confirmation of services rendered.
If you or someone you know receives one of these documents, please do not sign it, do not provide payment information, and do not return the form. You may discard it entirely.
We encourage business owners to share this information with their bookkeepers and office staff, since these documents are often processed by someone other than the owner and can slip through unnoticed. A quick conversation with your team could save a significant amount of money and frustration.
Our parishes are grateful for the many faithful business owners who support and serve our community. It is precisely because of that connection to the Church that scammers attempt to exploit the Catholic name and the trust that comes with it. Please look out for one another, and do not hesitate to reach out to the parish office if you have questions or concerns.
If you believe you have already submitted payment in response to this solicitation, contact your bank or credit card company as soon as possible to dispute the charge.
As always, we keep one another in prayer. God bless you and your families.